Goldstar Airlines celebrates first anniversary

Accra, March 10, GNA – Goldstar Airlines, a privately owned Ghanaian airliner, has negotiated for a lease to purchase aircrafts to operate from Accra to a number of destinations.

The Ghanaian airliner, which is celebrating its first anniversary, is scheduled to run Accra-Baltimore (Washington) – Accra, Accra-Gatwick (London) Accra, Accra Guangzhou (China) – Accra.

Mr Eric Bannerman, Chief Executive Officer of the company, in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency from Baltimore-Maryland, said the airliner was celebrating its first anniversary with the re-branding of his airline to reflect the true colours of its origin.

“We are changing our logo slightly to have a new look and we are also changing our slogan from Good Flights, Good Deals to Great Flights, Great Deals because we have been great throughout our first year,” Mr Bannerman said.

He appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to step in and use his good office to compel the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to carry out the inspection of the plane and its operational facilities for it to commence flying in Ghana.

“We have so far done some corporate social responsibility: from Juvenile Boxing, through the formation and support of the National Disabled Supporters Union; and also sponsored some sports journalists to travel locally and internationally.

“Also, our staff have come out with little deductions from their salaries to support a proposed fund called Goldstar Unite, which will be used to get some bole holes for some selected villages,’ he said.

According to Mr Bannerman the company had also established a multimedia station to support the disabled which would be in operation when the airline begun operations in Ghana.

The Goldstar Airlines CEO said the company was at a loss as to why GCAA was unduly delaying the inspection since it had acquired all the necessary documentation and equipment for the operations to commence.

‘The GCAA, which is supposed to nominate officials to inspect the airline’s equipment towards the issuance of an Air Transport Organisers Licence (ATOL), is rather unduly delaying, for reasons which I do not know,’ he said.

He gave thumbs up to the role of tourism as one of the largest foreign exchange earners in Ghana’s economy, and was optimistic that the coming of the airline would enhance the contribution of tourism to the overall national development agenda.

‘Every day the airline goes without flying, our company makes a very huge loss,’ Mr Bannerman said.

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has outlined distinct requirements for companies willing to venture into charter and scheduled airlines.

‘The GCAA says companies or individuals may charter aircraft for hire or reward on ad-hoc basis provided it has, among other requirements, received recommendation from the Tourist Board and the company has provided to them an agreement between them and the chatterer.

He said: ‘We have already received recommendation from the Ghana Tourism Authority,’ adding, ‘the technical side which is the inspection of our equipment is to be carried out by the GCAA before the Tourist Authority can issue the ATOL to us to commence operations’.

Despite its readiness, the inspection of it maintenance and operational facilities are yet to be done by the GCAA.